Domestic washing machines



Aug. 28, 1956 J. 5. DAVIES ET AL DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Shes}: 1

Filed Oct. 18,1954

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. 'mmmxw Aug. 28, 1956 Filed Oct. 18, 1954 J. G. DAVIES ETAL 2,760,506

DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

Aug. 28, 1956 J. G. DAVIES ET AL 2,760,506

DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Oct. 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet s FIG.3

Aug. 28, 19 J. G. DAVIES ET AL 2,760,506

DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Oct. 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l9 7) n; 9 W 2O E 7 25 A; x

1 4 IO 7 --|o AL 1 niteci DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINES Application October 18, 1954, Serial No. 462,962

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 19, 1953 8 Claims. (Cl. 134186) This invention relates to domestic washing machines and more especially to means for emptying water from the washing chamber of the machine after use. A hose is usually employed for conveying the water to a convenient receptacle or to a sink and the present invention is concerned with the connection of such a hose to the machine.

According to the present invention a drain hose connector comprises on one end of the hose a rigid probe having a bore open to that of the hose and in the machine a socket including valve means adapted to be operated by the probe when in engagement with the socket to open or close the drain of the washing chamber of the machine to the bore of the probe and of the hose.

With gravity draining or pump extraction of the water from the washing chamber, the connector according to the present invention may be employed with advantage instead of a separately operable valve, or the need for raising the outlet end of the hose above the water level, to prevent drainage of the chamber during washing periods.

Locking means is preferably provided to prevent withdrawal of the probe from the socket while the valve means is in the position in which the drain is open to the bore of the probe. Since the drain is then closed when the hose is removed, the same hose can be used for filling the washing chamber. For this purpose the outlet end may be provided with a connector for coupling it to a water tap; the opening of the probe is directed into the Washing chamber.

The valve means is preferably rotary and is operable by angular movement of the probe with respect to the socket. The probe may conveniently be elbow-shaped so that the portion joined to the hose provides an arm for angularly moving the portion in engagement with the socket.

The valve means may be adapted when closing the drain to the bore of the probe to open the drain to re circulation passages leading back to the washing chamher. In this form the present invention is especially suitable for use in a washing machine in which to produce washing action water is continuously circulated by a pump, from the washing chamber, through the pump and back to the chamber at high velocity through one or more nozzles. The re-circulation passages lead to the nozzles. The hose connection affords a control for selecting washing action or draining.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of a washing machine incorporating a drain hose connector according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view.

Figure 4 is a similar view to part of Figure 1 but showing parts of the connector in a different position.

tates Patent Patented Aug. 28, 1956 In the washing machine illustrated water is circulated by a pump (not shown) from a washing chamber 5 through the pump and a manifold 6 to nozzles 7 through which'it is discharged at high velocity to produce washing action in the washing chamber. For emptying the washing chamber after use a drain hose 8 is provided and is coupled to the machine by a connector 9 according to the present invention.

The manifold 6 is a casting of wide Y-shape, the stem 10, which is upright, receiving the pump delivery and the arms 11 forming branches leading to the nozzles 7, of which there are two.

The drain hose connector 9 comprises a probe 12 having a bore open to that of the drain hose 8 and a socket 13 to receive the probe. A housing for the socket is formed in an upward extension 14 of the stem as part of the nozzle, manifold casting.

The socket 13 fits into an upwardly opening bore in the socket housing 14 and is externally provided with an O-ring 15 to prevent leakage along the bore. The base of the socket forms the body of a tap 16 and has a tapering axial bore to receive a complementary tapered plug 17 the smaller end of which projects into the socket 13 and is provided with tongues 18 which engage complementary recesses 19 in the end of the probe to form an axially engageable dog-clutch connection 21). An axial bore 21 through the small end of the plug intersects a diametral bore 22 which, on turning the plug, can be brought into line with radial openings 23 in the tap body. Axial channels or transfer passages 24 in the socket housing wall connect the openings 23 to a shutter chamber below the tap 16.

The shutter chamber is at the fork of the Y-shaped casting and the axial channels 24 lie in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of the arms or branches 11 of the Y. A shutter 25 rotatably mounted in the shutter chamber coaxially with the tap 16 has an axial aperture 26 at the bottom open to the bore of the stem 11) and pump delivery and Which communicates with radial passages 27 in the shutter which emerge through the wall of the .shutter at rectangular side openings elongated in the axial direction of the valve and directed in radially opposite directions. In one angular position of the shutter (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) the radial passages 27 are open to bores 28 of the arms 11 leading to the nozzles 7 and when the shutter is turned through ninety degrees (as shown in Figure 4) are closed to the nozzles 7 and open to the axial channels 24 and through the tap 16 to the bores of the probe and the drain.

Before insertion in the socket housing a T-headed member 29 extending from the larger end of the plug 17 is engaged with a diametral T-slot 30 in the upper end of the shutter 25. This forms a laterally engageable driving connection between the plug 17 and shutter 25 which are then inserted together into the socket housing. On subsequent removal of the socket and tap, the shutter is also withdrawn. This connection between the plug 17 and shutter 25 is engageable and disengageable only when the plug and shutter are removed from the housing. The tap 16 and shutter 25 together form valve means affording a control by angular movement of which washing action or draining can be selected.

The shutter 25 may be a fairly free fit in the housing since complete cut off of the pump delivery from the nozzles 7 is not essential for effective emptying of the washing chamber. The complete closure of the drain, necessary during washing periods, is provided for in the tap 16. In this way costly machining and fitting operations on the large surfaces of the shutter are avoided and can be confined to the smaller surfaces of the tap. To avoid vibration of the shutter an O-ring 31 is fitted in a 3. circumferential groove around the bottom opening 26 to engage the bore of the housing.

The probe 12 is elbow-shaped to provide a more convenient direction for the hose connection and to afiord a convenient hand grip an'd'an arm for rnoving'the probe.

angular'ly in the socket. On the socket-engaging end of the probe, radially directed ears 32'. project forming one elementof a bayonet catch 33. An opening34 ina diecast body 35, which includes a hingedcover 36 for the socket opening, has radial recesses. to allow the cars 32 to pass axially through. The probe can then be turned through90 degrees to-right handor to left hand in orderto operate the valve means; inwhich. position locating recesses 57 for the. ears are provided on' the underside of the die-cast body. Water pressuret acting upon the probe urges the. ears 32. closely into engagernent with the recesses 37. A rubber O-ring 41 isfitted Uin. a. groove around the probe to prevent leakage when the probe is inserted in the socket 13.

In the assembled washingmachine the manifold 6 is secured to the frame of the machine. and the upper end of the socket housing 14 is, received in a recess in a top plate casting 38 of the machine. Coaxialwithth'e bore of the socket housing 14 is an opening in the top plate 38 and through this opening the. valve. assembly isinserted into the socket housing 14. The -die-cast.body 35 is bolted to the top plate 38 with its'opening 34' coaxial with the socket 13; On its unders'urface are abutments which bear on a flange 39 around the mouth of the socket 13 and compress a rubber ring 40-p1aced between the flange 39 and the top plate 3fiwhenthe'die cast body 35 is tightened down. Clearance is provided within the body 35 above the mouth of the socket 13 to; allow the cars 32 to turn after passing through the" opening: 34. When the probe 12 is in the positionshown" in Figures 1 and 2 in which the pump. delivery isshut ofi from. the drain hose it can be withdrawn from the socket butiwhen the probe is turned to drain. the washing chamber as shown in Figure 4 the probe cannotbe with-drawn.

When the hose is to be connected to'the. washing machine the hinged cover is. raised to expose the socket 13 and the probe 12 inserted with its-ears 32 aligned with the radial recesses of the opening 34. As the probe. is.

pushed into the socket the recesses19-in itsend engage the tongues 18 on the taperedplug 17 of. the-tap16; In this position in which theprobe. 12. cambe; inserted'and withdrawn the tap 16 and shutter 25 occnpy: the position shown in Figures 1. and 2. The :tap 16 is closed and pump delivery entering the valvethrough'the stem. 10. is directedby the shutter 25 into. the branches 11. to be delivered. to the nozzles7 to produce. washingactioninthe washing chamber 5.

When the. elbow of the-probe;iszturnedathrough;aaright angle for example. to the position shown in. chain dotted lines inFigure 3 the ears32 are: thentrapped behind the.

opening 34. so that the probe cannot be withdrawn in this angular position. Turning the probe through 90.

rotates the tap 16 and shutter 25 to the positions shown in Figure 4. Pump delivery is now directed by the. shutter 25 into the transfer passages 24,.passes radially inwards through the openings 23 in the body of the tap lfiwhich is now open through the passages 22 and 21 to the bore of the probe and of the hose. I

The drain hose is intended to be used for filling the tank and for this purpose is providedon. its outlefend. with a connector 42 for coupling it to a. water tap; the probe 12 is withdrawn from the socket and put into the washing chamber.

We claim: I

1. A releasable connector valve for a dr'ain hose of a domestic washing machine comprisnig cornbinationa rigid probe secured to one end ofthe hose and having an open=ended passage in communication with the" boreof the hose, a connector valve body, a socket inth'e body, valve means associated with the socket and having an inlet and a first outlet port, and separable driving means for" "operating the valve means by file probe Wliilb the probe is in engagement with: the socket, upon such engagement the open end of the passage of the probe and the first outlet port being inhhid transferring relation.

2. A releasable connector valve according. to claim 1 and further comprising locking means for preventing withdrawal of theprobe. from. the; socket-when. the. valve.

valvemeans associated with" the socket and including inlet; first outlet an'dsecondoutlet'ports; a tap, a shutter and at least" one transfer passageinterconnecting said tap and shutter; the; tap" and shutter beingop'erativcly.

coupled and adapted in one operative-position to connect said inlet. and first outlet ports through said shutter, transfer. passage and tap: and to close said'second outlet port bysaid shutter andin another operative position to connect said' inlet and second outlet ports through said shutter and. to close the first outlet port'by said tap, separable driving means for operating the valve means by the probe while the probev is in engagement with the socket and; locking means for preventing Withdrawal of the probe from the socketwhen the valve means is in the position to open the inlet port to the first outlet port,

uponengage'rnent of'the probe with the socket the open.

end of'the passage of 'the probe and the. first outlet port being in fluid-transferring relation.

5. A releasable connector valve for a drain hose of a domestic washingmachine comprising in combination a rigidprobe secured to one end ofthe hose and having an. open-endedfpassage, in. communication with the bore of the hose, a connector valve body a socket in the machine; rotary. valve means associated-with the socket and including. inl'et,.. first outletv and. second outlet ports,

a. tap. and a. shutter coaxial. with the. tap, the tap. and.

shutter being received. in a ..bore ofa housing having in a first plane containing, its axis. lateral. openings in its walls-inregister. withradial; passages in theshutter open through the inner: end-of the shutter to said inlet port, andin. a-.second1plane containing the axis of the bore and; angulariy, disposed with respect to said first plane axiali transfer passagesropento thetap, the tap-and shutter being rotatably coupled and adapted in one operative positionto connect saidinlet andfirst outlet ports through said radial-passages, axial transfer: passages and tap, and torclose; said: lateral. openings: by said. shutter, and in another'operative. position to connect said'inlet port and lateral openingsathroughsaid:radial passages, and; to close the first outlets-porttby'said tap,.separable driving means for operating the valve means by. the probe While.- the probe is in engagement with the socket and locking means for preventing: withdrawal of theprobe from the socket when-the valve means is in the-position to open the inlet port to the first outlet port; upon engagement ofthe probewi'th the socket the open endof the-passage of the probe and the first outlet port being influid-transferring relation.

6- A releasable connector valve according to claim 5 whereintherotatable barrel has at the inner end an angular driving connection with the shutter laterally engageable and di'seng'ageabl'e only when the tapand shutter are withdrawn from the bore of theh'ousing:

7. In a domestic washing machine including a washing chamber; outlet from the washing chamber, a drain hose; a pump; and at least one nozzle through which to produce Washing action water is continuously circulated by the pump from the washing chamber, through the pump and back to the washing chamber through the nozzle, a releasable connector for the drain hose comprising in combination a rigid probe secured to one end of the hose and having an open-ended passage in communication with the bore of the hose, a socket in the machine, valve means associated with the socket and having an inlet port and a first outlet port, and at least one second outlet port and operable to open said inlet port to either said first outlet port or said second outlet port, conduit means connecting the delivery of the pump to the inlet port of said valve means, at least one re-circulation passage connecting said second outlet port to the nozzle, separable driving means for operating the valve means by the probe while the probe is in engagement with the socket and for controlling the machine by selecting a washing action or draining, and locking means for preventing withdrawal of the probe from the socket when the valve means is in the position to open the inlet port to the first outlet port, upon engagement of the probe with the socket the open end of the passage of the probe and the first outlet port being in fluidtransferring relation.

8. In a domestic washing machine including a Washing chamber, an outlet from the washing chamber, a drain hose, a pump, and nozzles through which to produce washing action water is continuously circulated by the pump from the washing chamber, through the pump and back to the washing chamber through the nozzles, a releasable connector for the drain hose comprising in combination a rigid probe secured to one end of the hose and having an open-ended passage in communication with the bore of the hose, a socket in the machine, rotary valve means associated with the socket and including inlet, first outlet and second outlet ports, a tap and a shutter coaxial with the tap, the tap and shutter being received in a bore of a housing having in a first plane containing its axis lateral openings in its walls in register with radial passages in the shutter open through the inner end of the shutter to said inlet port, and in a second plane containing the axis of the bore and angularly disposed with respect to said first plane axial transfer passages open to the tap, the tap and shutter being rotatably coupled and adapted in one operative position to connect said inlet and first outlet ports through said radial passages, axial transfer passages and tap, and to close said lateral openings by said shutter, and in another operative position to connect said inlet and lateral openings through said radial passages, and to close the first outlet port by said tap, conduit means connecting the delivery of the pump to the inlet port of said valve means, recirculation passages connecting said lateral openings to said nozzles, separable driving means for operating the valve means by the probe while the probe is in engagement with the socket and for controlling the machine by selecting a Washing action or draining, and locking means for preventing withdrawal of the probe from the socket when the valve means is in the position to open the inlet port to the first outlet port, upon engagement of the probe with the socket the open end of the passage of the probe and the first outlet port being in fluidtransferring relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

